31. Back-to-School through A Sensory Emotional Lens (Part 2)

Michele and Amanda are back to continue their conversation about supporting our sensory emotional kids in the classroom as we head back to school this year. Getting to know a new school, a new teacher, new routines, and expectations that are different from last year can be really overwhelming. We recognize that we all process sensory information differently and choose different ways of being according to our capacities to process information from the world and our bodies. In school, these ways of being can significantly impact performance and participation in school-based activities. Michele and Amanda share valuable insights and strategies to help ease these transitions.  In this episode, they dive deeper to discuss how to support children who present as confused, embarrassed, full of wonder, needy, compassionate, scattered and disorganized, intentional, and passionate (sometimes disguised as bossy). Strategies are presented to support sensory discrimination, motor planning, and posture. In this episode you’ll discover: How to know if the way a child is acting and interacting in the classroom is related to sensory motor differences  Common challenges in the classroom for children who are confused, embarrassed, or full of wonder and constantly experimenting with sensation or/and have difficulty discriminating/perceiving and integrating sensory input  Common challenges in the classroom for children who are needy or/and have weakness in strength and endurance Common challenges in the classroom for children who are scattered, disorganized, intentional about how they will do things or what they will do or bossy or/and have difficulty with motor planning and coordination  Ways to set your child up for success by communicating to our child’s teacher using the language and idea that “My child is successful when…”  Sensory emotional strategies for the classroom for children who are confused, embarrassed, full of wonder, needy, scattered, disorganized, intentional or bossy  Join our community! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesensoryemotional_ot/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatkidsplace/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreatKidsPlace/ Want more resources? Please visit our blog: https://greatkidsplace.com/category/blog/ and https://sensoryemotional.org/   About Michele Parkins MS, OTR/L IMH-E® Founder & Director, Great Kids Place  Founder, Sensory Emotional Engagement Model™ Michele is an Occupational Therapist endorsed as an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. She specializes in working with children and families with Sensory Processing and Integration Disorders and challenges in social-emotional development. She is also a parent of two sensory kids. She works and lives sensational kids! Michele is a fellow of Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, OTR. Amanda Newchok, MS, OTR/L Occupational Therapist, Great Kids Place Amanda is a passionate occupational therapist with about twenty years of experience working with the pediatric population. She is a specialist in Sensory Processing and Integration Disorder, certified in the evaluation and treatment of Sensory Processing Disorder by the Sensory Therapies and Research Institute. Amanda also serves as faculty for the Sensory Therapies and Research Institute, where she educates therapists from around the country on the relationship between regulation, relationship, and sensation in the treatment of Sensory Processing Disorder, particularly in the school setting.